From the papers of the recipient Captain Cecil William Townsend of the British Military Mission to South Russia. The two men had been comrades. In March 1920 'Lt, temp Major Claud Alfred Leonard Pascoe, 2nd London Regt, attd to MGC' received the OBE, 'on the recommendation of the General Officer Commanding, British Military Mission, in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in South Russia'. See the reference to Pascoe in Scott Young's 1988 biography of Gordon Sinclair. 2pp., 8vo. On an elaborate letterhead of 'Geo. Wright' and 'E. M.

D. Dickinson, Hon. Secretary to the Recruiting Committee, English Colony of Petrograd [ Russia in the First World War; Sir George Buchanan; Field Marshal Lord Roberts; Lord Kitchener; recruitment ]

Publication details:

'Petrograd, | 16 / 29 October 1914.' Watkins & Co. Printers.'

£220.00

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and worn, with a few small ink stains. Headed: '"England expects that every man will do his Duty".' Begins: 'At a meeting of the British colony of Petrograd held at the New English Club on Saturday, October 11/24, at which his Excellency Sir George Buchanan presided, it was decided to enrol a body of recruits from among the British colony in Petrograd.

Letterhead of the Chief Secretariat, Madras, Public Department. 23 November 1893 and 15 January 1894.

£65.00

2pp., folio. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with stub adhering to margin on reverse of leaf. An artefact of the Great Game, from the papers of Sir J. D. Rees. Printed beneath the letterhead are the words: 'READ the following paper: -', with the word 'paper' deleted. A manuscript table, certified as a 'True Extract' with the signature of the Chief Secretary of the Government of Madras ('Order 15th. January 1894 No. 27. | Communicated to Mr.

Baron Henry de Bode [ William Henry Charles Othon Baron de Bode ] (1778-1855), Major General in the Russian service, inventor in England

Publication details:

39 Berners Street, Oxford Street [ London ]. 2 February 1848.

£120.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged. Reads: 'My dear Sir, | I shall feel much pleasure in joining Your party tomorrow evening, with my nephew C. Cazalet, who conveyed to me the wish you had expressed to see us at your lodgings, before your not came. | I am Your's sincerely | de Bode'. See John H. Harland, 'Baron de Bode and his Capstan', in The Mariner's Mirror, vol.99, 2013.

The two parts, apparently from different letters, are both on bifoliums: the first, numbered '2', is 4pp., 12mo; the second, numbered '5', is 4pp., 16mo. In good condition, lightly aged. The second bifolium signed at end: 'Best Wishes to Mrs C. | Yrs | J B. Askew'. Written in a neat if somewhat eccentric hand. The first bifolium begins: '[…] is very sore. Nothing will be done at the Congress except Bebel [August Bebel (1840-1913), German socialist] will speak and move a resolution to the effect that the Party stands by its present program and tactics.

Sophie of Württemberg [ Sophia Frederika Mathilde ] (1818-1877), Queen of the Netherlands as the first wife of King William III [ Stratford Canning, 1st Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe (1786-1880) ]

Publication details:

'Hague [ Netherlands ] Dec. 2d' [ 1854 ].

£180.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. The letter begins: 'My dear Lord Stratford | The 5th November, the day of Inckerman, [sic] is passed – I had not the courage to write. There was such a weight of grief in my heart, it was very difficult to give any utterance to it. Yet I will not let this disastrous year come to its close, without sending you a few words of remembrance, of sincere friendship. Since I left you in London, how many are gone!

The author is not named, but this item is from the papers of Sir John Pollock, and is in his autograph. Sir (Frederick) John Pollock (1872-1963), 4th Baronet of Hatton (Eton; Trinity College, Cambridge; Harvard Law School) is a strangely-neglected figure. His brief obituary in The Times (23 July 1963) is headed 'Playwright and Author', but the best account of his career is the one he himself contributed to Who's Who. Pollock took great interest in Russian affairs, his numerous works including 'War and Revolution in Russia' in 1918, and 'The Bolshevik Adventure' the following year.

All on letterheads of the Buckingham Palace Hotel [ London ]. All dating from July 1899.

£850.00

A Ukrainian Jew, Haffkine found his early career obstructed by his refusal to convert to the Russian Orthodox Church. He emigrated and worked at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, where he developed an anti-cholera vaccine that he tried out successfully in India. He is recognized as the first microbiologist to develop and use vaccines against cholera and bubonic plague. He tested the vaccines on himself. The three items in good conditon, lightly aged. ONE: ALS. 2pp., 12mo. He has been 'away from town', but now hopes to send 'a note on my work' within the week. 'It wd.

George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney [ Lord Macartney ] (1737-1806); John Hoole (1727-1803), translator of Tasso and Ariosto, Principal Auditor at India House, member of the circle of Samuel Johnson

Publication details:

Without place. 1786.

£850.00

On an 8vo leaf, removed from what would appear to be Hoole's journal. Aged and brittle, with wear to extremities. One page carries an autograph transcription by Macartney of an autobiographical Latin inscription in prose and verse, to which is appended a signed note by Hoole: 'given me by his Lordship | JH.' The other page carries an unpublished six-line translation by Hoole, translator by trade (Tasso) of the poetical section of Macartney's inscription.

St Petersburg and Moscow, Russia; Kuokkala, Finland. 3 August to 4 September 1911.

£1,150.00

36pp., 4to. Neatly and closely written, with each page on a separate leaf of ruled paper. 24 lines to the page. In fair condition, lightly aged. First page headed 'Diary.' On reverse of last page: 'Russian diary | 1911'. The author is not named, but this unpublished item is from the papers of Sir John Pollock, and is in his hand.

1p., 4to. On bifolium with mourning border. Nineteen lines of closely-written text, with valediction: 'Votre affectionnée, | Marie, GD de Russie et de Saxe'. In fair condition, lightly aged and creased, with minor traces of grey paper from mount adhering to edge. She begins by stating that the 'charmant ouvrage' that she sent has given her real pleasure: 'il orne ma demeure champêtre'.

An English engineer (primarily naval) in the Russian Far East, 1861-1880

Publication details:

1861-1880.

£900.00

2 volumes. Both internally in good condition, with light signs of age, and both in worn grey cloth bindings with marbled boards.ONE: 17 May 1861 to 22 July 1861, then a couple of entries for 1867, and then from 1 January 1868 to 22 May 1870. 115pp., 4to. At rear, three pages, with the following headings: 'Cashe [sic] received From 16 October 1865', 'Nineaux' and 'Account with Lutz the 22 of Febure [sic]'.TWO: 14 August 1876 to 23 September 1880. 136pp., small 4to.

[ Finland: the Winter War with the Soviet Union, 1939-1940; Communist Party of Great Britain; Jimmy Shields (1900-1949) ]

Publication details:

Without details or date. [ Communist Party of Great Britain, London. Circa 1939. ]

£100.00

3pp., 8vo. In fair condition, single-spaced, on three leaves of aged and worn paper, held together with a small rusted pin. Designed to clearly state the party line. Begins: 'If we want to understand what is going on, we must understand the Background.' Sections titled 'The Background' and 'The Attitude of Britain' follow. A key section reads: 'But whatever people think - the Russian Government decided that the time was ripe to take control of the Baltic. They were not frightened of Finland or the Finns - but they were apprehensive of Finland in conjunction with the great powers.

Between 20 March 1917 and 14 September 1918. One on letterhead of 'American Engineering Corps with the R. R. S. [ Russian Railway Service ]'. From Tomsk, Odessa, Vladivostok and other parts of Russia.

£220.00

As part of American involvement in the Russian Civil War, the Russian Railway Service Corps was formed by President Wilson to operate the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Details regarding the author are sketchy. In 1929 the London Gazette reported the naturalisation of 'Fainstein, Yosel (known as George Fainstone); Russia; Upholsterer and Furniture Manufacturer; 16, Ravenscroft Avenue, Golders Green, Middlesex. 20 August, 1929.' Fainstone died in England in 1956 and his wife Helene six years later. Ten more of his RRS letters, all dating from 1918, are in the Imperial War Museum.

Prince Constantin Czartoryski [ Konstanty Adam Czartoryski ] (1777-1866), Polish patriot who served under Napoleon, raising a regiment at his own expence

Publication details:

Paris, 26 September 1819.

£250.00

For more information on Czartoryski, see his entry in the Annual Register for 1860, p.407. 1p., 12mo. On bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. The recipient is not named, but is an Italian-speaker, as the letter is docketted 'Parigi 1819 | 26 Sett. | Princp. Cost. Czartoryski'. Fifteen lines of text, requesting, in florid tones, that a letter be forwarded to his brother, 'qui doit être dans ce moment ci à Livourne pour y faire prendre des bains'.

In good condition, lightly aged, with one vertical crease. Stamped and postmarked, and addressed to 'Cyril Maude Esqre. | Redlap | Dartmouth. | Devon'. For more about Hambourg, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. He writes: 'My dear Cyril | I'm afraid the Chappell Piano is necessary for me, as however good a theatre piano, it would not be good enough for a performance at your "Grand Benefit." | Yours with best wishes | Mark Hambourg'. Maude's 'Birthday Benefit Matinée' took place for charity at the Haymarket Theatre, 24 April 1942.

1p., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. She is 'engaged every minute this week', but hopes to see her the following week, on any day except Thursday, 'wh. is my day at home - from 4 to 6'.

Both on letterhead of A. Shedrow ('M.D. (Paris) M.R.C.S. (Eng.) L.R.C.P. (London)'), with addresses of his residence and consultation rooms in Johannesburg. 8 and 24 February 1958.

£250.00

Each letter 2pp., 12mo. Both in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. He starts the first letter by expressing 'great pride and immense joy' in sending 'my seventh book of French poems [...] According to the reviews, it is the best I ever wrote'. He continues with references to the recipient's 'short but memorable visit to Johannesburg', and to 'the uncomplimentary remarks passed by my confreres in Johannesburg', these being 'indeed compliments, for they indicate that I do not belong to them, in spite of our common profession.

114pp., 4to. Typescript by May Hemery Ltd in black and red ink, with pages on rectos only. In black card covers, with label on front. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear, in worn covers. See Steve Nicholson, 'British theatre and the Red Peril: the Portrayal of Communism 1917-1945': 'Originally called 'Face to Face', 'Comrade Detective' was translated, designed and produced by Herbert Marshall on the suggestion of the wife of the Soviet Ambassador.

First letter [from Balaclava Harbour in the Crimea ] on board HMS Leopard, 12 December 1854. Second letter on board HMS Excellent, 7 December 1859.

£280.00

Jacob was one of the ten children (seven sons) of Archdeacon Philip Jacob (1803-1884). Both items are in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE: 'HMS Leopard | Dec 12th. 1854'. 4pp., 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. To 'My dearest Brother'. The fifteen-year-old Jacob has a shaky grasp of spelling and punctuation.

An English engineer (primarily naval) in the Russian Far East, 1861-1880

Publication details:

1861-1880.

£1,500.00

2 volumes. Both internally in good condition, with light signs of age, and both in worn grey cloth bindings with marbled boards.ONE: 17 May 1861 to 22 July 1861, then a couple of entries for 1867, and then from 1 January 1868 to 22 May 1870. 115pp., 4to. At rear, three pages, with the following headings: 'Cashe [sic] received From 16 October 1865', 'Nineaux' and 'Account with Lutz the 22 of Febure [sic]'.TWO: 14 August 1876 to 23 September 1880. 136pp., small 4to.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with strip of glue from mount discoloring second leaf. Written in a difficult hand, the letter begins: 'My Dear Sir | I have not forgotten a conversation with you on returning from Bradfield which first opened my eyes to the horrors of Turkish Rule'. He is sending 'a small contribution to a fund to which I am led by your name'. Mentions 'the League', 'Lady ' and 'Col Lindsay', stating that he is 'a little puzzled'. Postscript refers to 'Mr Probyn Editor of the Cobden Club', ending 'I am just going to a meeting at Barnstaple'.?>

Edward Mason Wrench (1833-1912) of the 34th Regiment of Foot and 12th Royal Lancers [The Indian Mutiny; Sepoy Mutiny; Indian Rebellion of 1857; Capt. Henry Kirke; Maj.-Gen. William Astell Franks]

Publication details:

Two duplicate letters, one dated from Park Lodge, Baslow, Derbyshire, on 23 December 1907 (and 'Christmas 1907'); and the other from the same place, 'Aug 1909' and 13 September 1909. Third duplicate and typescript without place or date.

£550.00

Wrench was the son of a clergyman, and well educated and well connected (being presented to the Prince of Wales and staying at Chatsworth in his old age). His obituary in the British Medical Journal (27 April 1912), describes how, after service in the Crimea, 'he was transferred to the 4th Lancers, went to Madras with that regiment in the following month, and served with it during the whole of the Indian Mutiny. For his services in India he received the Indian medal and clasp for Central India. He returned to England in 1860, and married in 1861 his cousin, the daughter of Mr.

The account of 'Events in 1855 [and 1856]' dated by Wrench from Park Lodge, Baslow [Derbyshire], 1902. The duplicated letter dated 12 December 1880. The printed advertisement for talk at the School, Baslow, and dated 14 January 1881.

£600.00

Wrench was the son of a clergyman, and well connected, being presented to the Prince of Wales and staying at Chatsworth in his old age. His obituary in the British Medical Journal (27 April 1812), describes how he went out to the Crimea in 1854. 'He had been gazetted Assistant Surgeon to the 34th Regiment in November, and joined it on its arrival in the Crimea. He served during the terrible winter of that year, and was present at the capture of the quarries, the successful assault on the Redan of June 18th, and the final capture of Sebastopol on September 8th, 1855.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. A long letter, closely and neatly written, with a number of emendations suggesting that it is a draft. After a short reference to the Count's kindness to him and his friend Joseph Neave, he devotes the rest of the letter to 'the heavy trial thou has had to pass through', discussing the nature of loss with 'knowledge from my own experience, that the loss of a child is a grief into whose full depths no stranger can enter, and that words, even well-meant, when uttered at an unfit moment, pain instead of helping'.

1p., 8vo. In good condition, lightly-aged and worn. Addressed to 'My dearest Bellows'. He has received the pamphlet at the Hotel Bristol, and 'earnestly' believes that 'it will make the right impression upon the powerful of the world'. His party starts the following week for Russia, '& I will take in hands [sic] our plans of delivery as soon as I get on the spot'. He ends with a pious sentiment. Bellows paid two visits to Russia, and counted Tolstoy among his friends.